Author
Topic: Black fur needs highlights? (Read 3162 times)

Thanks so much for posting the colour mixing webinar video on YouTube - I watched it, got a LOT from it, and now have a question that hopefully someone can help me with

I am currently working on an oil painting of a black poodle, and have been mixing my black by using french ultramarine, alizarin crimson and burnt umber. The picture I am painting from was taken in direct sunlight, so the highlights are very "white" and I can see all the colours of the rainbow in the highlighted hair!

My question is: how do I mix a colour to make a good highlight that doesn't appear grey and washed out? I am struggling to get some variation on in the dog, and as a result I feel my painting is flat.

Any ideas recommendations out there?Many thanks!

Logged

Germa

Since the dog is in the sunlight, maybe a tiny little bit of yellow mixed with white? Or just add a bit ultramarine through your white?Or, maybe use plain white?If it mixes with your black, you could wait till the black is dry before you put the highlights in?

Nathalie--Why don't you post your painting so we can help in the best way. When I have highlighted that type of lively black, I have added a bright lemon yellow and a bit of white to the black so that it stays alive but not sure if that will work, given your description. Of course, it is always good to paint the color you actually see.

Thanks everyone, for the feedback Just going to carry on as I have been, and give the white and yellow, and white and Ultramarine highlights a try too.I think I have been painting in too much of a 'vacuum' and getting too 'close' to the painting, and so am very appreciative to have you all to share with and to give me some perspective!